Winter Wonderland!

When people think of South Africa, the word 'sunny' usually comes to mind. Well, think again! It's snowing over most of the country, in fact we have just heard that it is the first time that snow has fallen in each of the nine provinces at the same time. In Kwa Zulu Natal some roads have been closed, leaving people stranded between towns. In areas that don't usually experience the 'cold white stuff', work has come to a stand still while people rush out to frolic and throw it about and generally behave like children! Rob's daughter Angie, who lives in Johannesburg, sent us this picture of her with her work mates, look at the snowball! When this was taken, it was a chilly minus 2 degrees! And that was at 3 o'clock in the afternoon!

Angie (second from the left) sent us this pic. Thanks Angie!

Our friend Natasha sent us a few pictures of her garden, there it is, under the white blanket!

Anyone for a braai? (Thanks Natasha!)

And here is one from Rob's Tour Guide friend Gavin.

Down the road from Gavin's garden. (Thanks Gavin)

The last time I saw snow in Johannesburg was in 1981, September the 10th to be exact. My parents were visiting at the time and when we went to fetch the children from school, it was snowing quite hard. My dad, who never wore long trousers, acknowledged that it was a little 'parky' and grabbed a cardigan on the way out. I seem to remember we tried to build a snow man in the garden and the dogs were chasing snow balls and eating them. I also remember that our gas ran out and that meant another trip to town so that we had heating later. So much for Spring! It arrived a little late that year!

Here in the Western Cape we have had a variety of weather over the last couple of days. Two nights ago we had a real storm with lightning and thunder, lashing rain and a wind that was trying to steal the roof! Yesterday we had rain, sun, wind and rain, followed by sun, wind, rain and wind. Today we have a stunningly sunny day, warm in a sheltered spot, while the rest of the country shivers. Some towns are flooded and roads have been washed away, and the little town of Montagu is cut off completely. We were planning a caravan trip there, so we shall wait a week or two until it has dried out and warmed up! Alfie doesn't like going out in the cold and wet!
Talking of dogs, Angie's rescued dog Oliver has the right idea.

It's a dog's life! 

In the meantime, if it keeps snowing, a lot of people will be doing this..........

Ready, steady, shovel! Thanks Natasha.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!